The Ghostwriter & Pup Podcast
By Jody Aberdeen
The Ghostwriter & Pup PodcastJun 03, 2020
Final Episode and What's Next
As the world continues to change, and as his writing services continue to evolve into new directions, Jody brings Ghostwriter and Pup to an end with many thanks to his listeners and a little hint about what's coming next for Jody's podcasting.
Visit jodyaberdeen.com starting May 1st, 2021 for his next writing show!
2021 - Episode 1: How Trauma Blocks You From Writing
In the first episode of 2021, Jody reflects on how personal traumas in your life cause creative blockage, even if they've got nothing related to writing itself. He also teases his upcoming Story Plumbing course.
Jody Reads The First Scene from Variations of Paris
Jody's latest novel, "Variations of Paris" is now available to read on Wattpad. In this episode, Jody reads from the very first scene.
"Variations" is a visionary sci-fi story that takes place on the other side of our current era of crisis. In 2053, a miraculous technology not only helps us restore the climate, create a free, abundant, and just global society, and end the threat of disease, but also allows us to travel again as we did before to faraway places.
Aliette Richard of Montreal, Canada is the protagonist, a 25 year old who has never known good or peaceful times, who finally gets the chance to see the city she'd only ever dreamed about during lockdown: Paris.
Boarding her flight at the dawn of this new optimistic era, Aliette will soon find herself on an unlikely adventure through the City of Lights that she never would have expected.
Each Wednesday, readers will get to enjoy a new scene, leading up to the book's completion and publication in late 2020.
Click here to read it today!
Writing Fiction During COVID-19 with Becka Yaeger
In his episode, Jody introduces his new post-COVID Utopian novel "Variations of Paris" (soon to be published, chapter by chapter, on Wattpad) as well as interviewing book marketer and indie author publishing professional Becka Yaeger on writing and selling books in the current era.
To follow along with "Variations of Paris", find it on Wattpad.com, available July 22nd, 2020 and afterwards.
To learn more about Becka's Best author services, visit www.beckasbest.com.
Three Key Elements of Worldbuilding
Worldbuilding can seem like a complicated process (and, depending on your story, it often is), but it can be very useful in giving your story the limitations that it needs for you to be able to write well. Even if you're not writing sci-fi/fantasy or horror, worldbuilding is useful for helping you get clarity on your novel.
In this episode, Jody talks about three key elements you can use for your worldbuilding.
The Other Side of COVID: Why NOW is the Time To Write!
There will never be a better time to write your novel than lockdown, not only to give you something to do, but to give hope to millions of others through your storytelling. What is on the other side of this pandemic?
Regular Joe Spiritualty Ep 2 - Mansions and Restaurants
Will getting what you say you want truly make you happy?
In Episode 2 of the limited series on "regular Joe spirituality", Jody delves a bit deeper into just what a "regular joe" spirituality looks like. He then reflects on the objects of desire that many personal growth teachings tell you you *have* to have in order to be happy, and compares that the actual experience of having them.
If you are a personal growth professional or a regular Joe seeker of any background, professional, or walk of life, and would like to have a conversation with Jody in a future episode, please email jody@jodyaberdeen.com.
Regular Joe Spirituality Ep 1: We over Me
Journal Series #15 - What's Next?
The final episode of Ghostwriter and Pup's Journal series involves one sentence...and the start of the next special series next week.
As always, if you have a topic you'd like me to explore in an episode, please email jody@jodyaberdeen.com.
Journal Series #14: Don't Do The Annoying Crap Yourself
In the penultimate episode of Ghostwriter and Pup's Journal series, Jody delves into why you should hire a VA and a sales person to help sell your books.
If you have a topic that you want Jody to explore in a future episode, or would like to appear as a guest, email your idea to jody@jodyaberdeen.com.
Journal Series #13: Three Passages to Make You Sigh
In this 13th episode of the journal series, Jody reads three passages from J. Michael Straczynski, Stephen King, and Whitley Strieber to demonstrate how very simple, earnest, non-lit-snobby writing can move, inspire, and stay with your readers for years.
If you have a topic that you want Jody to explore in a future episode, or would like to appear as a guest, email your idea to jody@jodyaberdeen.com.
Journal Series 12 - Keeping It Real and Lit Snob Free
Jody hates snobs...but yet, he is also kind of a snob. And you shouldn't be a snob, not in your writing.
Episode #12 of the journal series looks into what Jody believes is the future of professional writing, including the abandonment of the "Lamborghini and books" pretension and posing; poets becoming the next great copywriters; and otherwise just keeping it real.
If you have a topic that you want Jody to explore in a future episode, or would like to appear as a guest, email your idea to jody@jodyaberdeen.com.
Journal Series #11 - How Stories Can Get You Cats (Or Killed)
Stop saying that it's "just a story". Depending on what it is or what you're trying to do, it can get you the cat you want. Or, get you killed.
In the 11th episode of Ghostwriter and Pup's Journal Series, Jody delves a bit into the power of story to shape your actions.
Topics include:
- The difference between "what's so" and "story", and how "story" usually wins.
- How stories determine ranges of actions, e.g. what happens to Canadians who believe that winters are long and summers short.
- Implications for pandemic response and pet adoption, based on the story that you believe.
If you have a topic that you want Jody to explore in a future episode, or would like to appear as a guest, email your idea to jody@jodyaberdeen.com.
Journal Series #10: The Long Summer Night
What's waiting for us on the other side of this pandemic? Episode 10 finds Jody a little tired and contemplative.
Topics in this episode:
- The "pipeline" in your brain, and why you need to clear it
- Sometimes the way to get your official work done is to work on your side projects.
- Mental loads are heavier now during the pandemic.
If you have a topic you want Jody to address in a journal episode, email your idea to jody@jodyaberdeen.com.
Journal Series #9: Dem Residuals, Tho
What would you be doing if you weren't doing what you're doing now? In Jody's case, more or less exactly what he's doing now, except with more residuals from book sales. That's what came up on this episode of the Journal Series.
Topics in this episode:
- Vanity metrics, like the #1 Amazon Bestseller
- Books as a source of entertainment for prolonged quarantine (as film and TV production slow down)
- Hire people to do the things you don't like doing (if you can)
If you have a journal prompt or an idea that you want Jody to explore on a future episode, send an email to jody@jodyaberdeen.com.
Journal Series #8: Anger Management
When we talk about "authentic self expression", how does anger fit into that? And what are the consequences? In this unfiltered episode following the flagrant destruction of some of his plants by local groundskeepers, Jody explores:
- Healthy expression of feelings for guys, especially sensitive New Age guys.
- What you put out, you can't take back, but should that stop you?
- General umbrage at the flagrant disregard by professional groundskeepers for people's plants (I mean, this sh*t is expensive!)
Journal Series #7: Boldly Going
Episode #7 of the Journal series sees Jody splitting an infinitive in the title and beginning with a talk about "Star Trek" and ending with a note about freelance book marketers.
Topics also include:
- The end of "dark and gritty" storytelling?
- When your stories are ahead of their time
- How world and character building help break scene blockage
- Touch your important work every day before it gets forgotten
If you have a journal prompt or an idea that you want Jody to explore on a future episode, send an email to jody@jodyaberdeen.com.
Journal Series #6: Sleep, Stimulation, Meditation, and Quality
For Week 2 of the Journal Series, Jody delves into:
- Sleep, how it affects anxiety, how it affects your idea generation.
- Social media stimulation and how it ruins your attention span.
- Meditation
- Quality writing: what is it?
If you have a journal prompt or topic you would like Jody to explore in a future episode, please email jody@jodyaberdeen.com with your idea.
Journal Series #5 - The Field of Mutually-Exclusive Ideas
Day 5 of Jody's series of 1-page handwritten journaling yielded insights on the following:
- Tangents: when are they okay, when are they not?
- Unity, da Vinci, ancient Greeks, Motorcycle Maintenance, and BBQ assembly
- The value of solitude
- Holding many mutually-exclusive ideas in your head at once and how it helps your writing
If there is a topic prompt you would like Jody to write about on a future entry, send email with your idea to jody@jodyaberdeen.com.
Journal Series #4: The Nearby Zeitgeist
Episode #4 of the Journal Series finds Jody tired after an early morning Zoom call and more brooding than usual (which is usually a lot of brooding for those who know him or have ever lived with him in the same house).
Topics include:
- Physical energy levels and how they affect what you write about
- How the Pandemic and its impact are never far from our minds today
- Positivity and authentic self-expression aren't always the same thing
- Why it's okay to care about what others think of you (and express yourself anyway).
Journal Series #3: The Balancing Act
In this third entry of Jody's journaling series, topics include:
- Being your own auto-correct
- Memories brought up by journaling
- Politics, politics, politics
- Gratitude, abundance, and empathy
If you have topics or prompts you want Jody to journal about in future episodes, please email jody@jodyaberdeen.com.
Journal Series #2: "The Lifestyle"
In the second episode of the Journal series, Jody continues to write a daily one page journal entry and shares the insights from the process.
Topics in this episode:
- Private versus public journaling
- Mental revision
- My Writing Lifestyle versus the 9 to 5
- Writing speed
If you have a suggestion for a topic or a prompt for Jody to write, please email jody@jodyaberdeen.com with your ideas.
Journal Series #1: "Opening Up"
After a month long hiatus, Ghostwriter and Pup returns with a mini-series of episodes centered around journal-writing. A daily journal practice can be hard to establish and, once started, very easy to lose. However, it is one of the most useful ways that you can sharpen your writing skills, strengthen your own self-expression, and take care of your mental health and well-being.
Topics in this episode:
- Words written versus words spoken
- The benefits of cursive writing
- Responsibility for your content (especially medically-based content)
- How writing "sounds"
Four Kinds of Memoir You Can Write
Thinking about using your quarantine time to write your memoir? You're not alone!
An autobiography or memoir isn't simply a rehashing of your entire life: you've got to pick a theme.
In this episode, Jody gives you a brief overview of four kinds of memoirs that you can write: inspirational, coming-of-age, journalistic, and essay-driven.
During this extraordinary time, Jody can offer you not only ghostwriting services, but co-authorship and coaching. Got any questions about your work? Email jody@jodyaberdeen.com to schedule a complimentary 30 minute Zoom coaching call.
On Doing Nothing (and How It Helps Your Writing)
In this short episode, Jody decides to buck the trend and explore the advantages of doing nothing and giving your creative mind a break during this unique time in history.
Reality Transurfing for Writers with Brian Scott
In this episode, Jody chats with Brian Scott, host of "The Reality Revolution Podcast", about "reality transurfing" and how writers and other creative professionals can use the approach to create the life of their dreams.
Brian Scott is an author, motivational speaker, thought leader, life coach, transformation coach, influencer, podcast host for the reality revolution podcast and the laptop lifestyle podcast, and he is also an artist. He has studied and worked on consciousness expansion for over 20 years. His primary goal is find that spark to unleash your greatest potential. He is the creator of the AURA technique and the 77 steps to success.
Check out The Reality Revolution Podcast at www.therealityrevolution.com/
COVID19, The Coming Recession, and Why NOW is the Time To Write Your Book
In this episode, Jody offers a writer's perspective on COVID19, the power of uncertainty in both storytelling and real life (with a nod to ABC's "LOST"), a self-guided exercise to help you outline your book, and three reasons why this is the best time you'll get for a long time to start writing your book, especially if you are a working professional looking ahead to possible transitions in your career.
Afraid to Write That First Book?
In this standalone episode, Jody reminisces about writing his first book 12 years ago, and all the insecurities and doubts that arose around doing so. If you want to write your first book but have limiting beliefs and doubts holding you back, you may see yourself in this story...with a strong motivational message at the end for you to start writing!
Ancestral Trauma and Limiting Beliefs (and more!) with Fazeena Haniff
Motivation for Writers: The Speed of Success
Topics in this episode:
- Becoming Present: You may already be living the life
- Dreams and Dream Boards
- Defining "Success"
- On doubt and defying family convention
- Persistence and surrender: the transurfing model
Discovering Your Purpose and Superpower with Mary Beth Guevara
Mary Beth Guevara is the founder of Super Power Inc. Her mission: to help people - especially creative professionals - discover their purposes in life and unlock the superpowers that lie dormant within them.
And in this conversation with Jody, she demonstrates EXACTLY what a session is like with her by tapping into Jody's own abilities during their chat (which Jody was not expecting!)
If you're feeling down about yourself and desire a deeper insight into what you were put on this world to do, you don't want to miss this one!
Awakening Your Potential with Laura Slinn
Topics include (but aren't limited to):
How repressed past traumas can cause emotional and physiological ailments.
Laura's journey of transformation that began with an assault experience many years before and culminated in her co-founding of Avalon Empowerment Inc.
The positive aspects of neurolinguistic programming (NLP).
How events in the outer world often reflect unresolved issues in our inner worlds
Marianne Williamson and her role in shaping Laura's transformation
Spiritual bypassing and why spirituality in the 2020s needs to address real world issues.
CW: Contains explicit language and references to sexual trauma and controversial subject matter that may be upsetting to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
A Five Year Retrospective with Filmmaker Evan Mead
Evan tells us how those conversations and distinctions created butterfly effects of possibilities that led to, among other things: the creation of two documentary film projects, a dating camp for individuals on the Autism/Asperger's Spectrum, a life-changing trip to Los Angeles, and the all-too-relatable headaches about striking out on one's own in one of the most expensive rental markets in the world and trying to "make it".
Evan's story is a wonderful meander, one that anyone who's currently hustling to fulfill their own artistic and creative career dreams can relate to. But make no mistake, this isn't a formulaic story of success with a happy ending: it is as authentic a journey as you can get with many highs and lows, and still very much in progress.
Learn more about Evan Mead by following him on Facebook and Instagram. You can also read about him in the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, and CBC Toronto.
Holiday 2019 Special Episode
Jody shares a story from his own Christmas Past, perspectives on the Ghost of Christmas Present, and shares a vision for Christmases Yet-To-Come.
Vulnerability and Storytelling (with Dr. Samuel Johnson)
Vulnerability is hard to define, let alone practice, but in storytelling, it's an essential way to connect with your audience. In this episode, Jody does some Q&A with a listener on how Ghostwriter and Pup gets made, tries to define vulnerability with some made up examples, and then provides a truly vulnerable and open conversation with Dr. Samuel Johnson, chiropractor and fellow Hamilton Chamber of Commerce member.
Topics in this episode: masculinity and sharing, mental health, positive thinking, storytelling, and many more.
CORRECTION: In the episode, I said that Dr. Sam provides his services from the "Dixon Family Chiropractic". I misspoke. He is actually at Paramount Family Chiropractic in Hamilton. My apologies for that mixup!
Two Lessons from a Black Friday Retail Story
Trading Time for Money and What Your Client Truly Needs (with Jacob Morris)
In this episode, Jody explores these notions of work, service, and satisfaction (both your own and your customer's) and then has an in-depth conversation with Hamilton, Ontario based videographer and founder of J Morris Media, Jacob Morris.
Recorded in part at the Cotton Factory offices in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in November 2019.
Learn more about Jacob and see samples of his work at www.jmorrismedia.com
Chasing Money, Success, and Meaning with Sarah Hall
In this first episode of Season Two of the Ghostwriter and Pup Podcast, Jody interviews artist, officiant, and wise woman Sarah Hall about some of the less-fun aspects of the creative life, including the pursuit of money, definitions of success, why so many of us are so damn tired all the time, and what it means to find fulfillment and meaning in today's world.
CW: Contains profanity and sexual references. Listener discretion is advised...but honestly, it's not that bad, y'all.
Learn more about Sarah by searching "Sarah Hall Artist" or "Sarah Hall Officiant" on Google. You can learn more about her new project at www.sustainablerelationship.com.
Season Finale: Old Year's Reflections on 2019
La Vie En Rose: Using Story to Create Meaning (and Convert Customers)
Shadow Work and Treasure From the Dirt
Passion, Expertise, and Education with Janet Walraven
Making Good Money Writing Fiction with Mike Shreeve
Message Driven Storytelling with Sharon K. Angelici
We delve into message driven storytelling: that is, stories that have a persuasive message for their audiences to help them understand the perspectives of vulnerable individuals, see new possibilities for change and transformation, and foster greater empathy and connection between human beings (among other things).
Jody chats with author and blacksmith Sharon K. Angelica about her very first book "Dear Kane", a brilliant and heartbreaking story of a gay teenager as told from the standpoint of their mother.
(CW: We discuss mental heath, homophobia, depression, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised)
Visit www.skangelici.com to learn more about Sharon.
Creative Ideas, Copyright, and Patents with Laurel Bloomfield
We talk a bit about creative ideas, the fear of having your story idea "stolen" or "gotten" by someone else, and an interview with inventor and entrepreneur Laurel Bloomfield about patenting your ideas.
Visit www.dreamersmakersdoes.com to learn more about Laurel and what she can do for you!
Crowdfunding Your Book with Andrea Schmidt
In this episode, Jody interviews book designer and marketer Andrea Schmidt about using Kickstarter and other crowdsourcing platforms to fund your independently-published book.
Topics covered in this episode:
- What my time in Paris taught me about my "why"
- A few insights on Amazon selling
- Kickstarter Perspectives from Andrea
You can buy Andrea's books and learn more about her services by visiting www.a-schmidt.com.
Why You Should Hire a "Lazy" Writer Today (Special Paris Edition)
Branding, Bourdain, and How To Speak To Your Desired Clients with Megan Gersch
In this episode...
- Jody talks about his trip to Paris (which, as of this recording, is days away) and seeing what we see, inspired by Anthony Bourdain.
- Four incremental steps to speaking to your most desired clientele in content
- A wonderfully informative and fun interview with graphic design and marketing leader Megan Gersch on her journeys and experiences with branding, client relations, authenticity, and success as a freelance professional.
Learn more about Megan and what she can do for you by visiting www.megangersch.com.
Motivational Writing That Doesn't Suck
Jody delves into personal growth/inspirational/motivational writing on a fairly high-energy Monday and touches on:
- How we naturally imitate our gurus (and how that hurts our inspirational writing)
- Why should acknowledge (just a little bit) the inner skeptic of our readers to really get them engaged
- A prediction on where personal growth writing will go in the 2020s (and how you can get ahead of the trend)
Self Worth, Pricing for Artists, and Krista Willmorth
What is your work worth? And does it have anything to do with what you think you're worth? It's a struggle that every creative professional deals with, whether they're a veteran copywriter or a painter selling their work for the first time. In an excerpt from a much longer conversation (we could have talked for hours on this!) Krista Willmorth and I take a little meander through the ups and downs of creative freelancers figuring out the true value of their work.